halloween

Updated on Sunday, October 21st, 2018 (See Events with a * next to it was recently added).

Are you looking for something beyond Trick or Treating with your kiddos this Halloween? You’ve come to the right place. Here are some alternative Halloween activities, local Halloween events, and safety tips for trick or treating.

Don’t worry about these cool, rainy, and fall nights! There are a lot of fun things you can do inside. It is time to get creative!

Turn a paper plate into an eyeball, pumpkin, or monster, paint or carve a pumpkin, or collect fall leaves and paste them onto a piece of paper to make a collage. Check out a few of these activities below:

Rock Painting is very popular. Turn it into a fun and cheap activity with a Halloween Spin on it. Paint Zombies, Monsters, and Ghost on Rocks.

Turn an old gallon jug into a ghost lantern. Cut out faces or paint faces on the jugs, Place a fake candle and sit outside. What a unique idea!

You can also make a yummy treat! Try caramel apples, Halloween Chex Mix, or try some of these:

Take your traditional rice crispy treat and dip it into chocolate to make a yummy monster treat.

Not all yummy treats have to be unhealthy. Take a strawberry and dip it in white chocolate, then use chocolate chips for the face and you have a strawberry scary ghost!

Local Halloween Events

Keep checking back throughout the month of October to see any new events that will be added throughout the month.

What: Haunted Trail at Lubeck Volunteer Fire Dept.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24th at ^;00 PM-11:00 PM
Where: 1340 Harris Highway, Parkersburg, WV 26101
Detail: This is a walking haunted trail through the woods. Meet at the fire station to get your tickets for a hay ride to the woods. First group will be taken through at dark, and the last ticket will be sold at 11:00 pm. Tickets are $5.00 and children 3 and under are free. There will be free refreshments at the station while you are waiting for your ride.

What: 9th Annual New Era Haunted School House
When: Oct 19 at 6 PM – Oct 27 at 11 PM
Where: 1838 Elizabeth Pike, Mineral Wells, WV 26150
Detail: The 9th Annual New Era One Room School House Museum on the campus of Mineral Wells Elementary School at 1838 Elizabeth Pike, Mineral Wells will once again be filled with spooks and goblins. Visit the graveyard, Frankenstein’s lab and torture chamber with 20+ animated characters. Meet the ghost in the old outhouse and listen to tales around the fire. New this year is the haunted train ride. Children can ride a small home built train. Refreshments and gifts are available for purchase. Admission is $3 and covers haunted school and haunted train ride. children under 4 free.
Follow I-77 to Mineral Wells exit -turn left on Rt 14 for apx 2 miles.

What: Haunted Trail
When: Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8:00 PM
Where: at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, Cottageville, WV
Detail: The trail is one half a mile long. Anyone age 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult and the Haunted Trail is not recommended for young children. Children who are not able to participate in the trail may enjoy Pursley’s Exotic Petting Zoo, a ride on a horse drawn wagon ride, face painting and hair coloring. A photo booth also will be set up. Snacks and flavored ice will be sold. Admission is $5 for the trail, $3 for wagon rides, $1 for the petting zoo and donations are appreciated for the face painting and photo booth.

What: Haunted House Coming to Ripley
When: October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, and November 2-3. The haunt will be open from 7pm-12am.
Where: 108 Academy Dr. Ripley, WV
Detail: The Go-Go Scare Show is a new haunted house. The mood of the rooms will go from light to dark with different twists. One room will have gummy bears, and another will have killer clowns from outer space. Rooms may have some tricks along the way. For example, you may not know how to get out. The Go-Go Scare Show is a family-friendly event, although they suggest that children under the age of 12 not attend. Tickets cost $10 per person.

What:3rd Annual Trunk or Treat
When: Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 6 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: 70 Warrior Dr. Vincent, OH 45784
Detail: Please join us for our 3rd Annual Event! The location is currently being determined, but we will bring the fun no matter where we are at! Start planning now to enter a ‘Trunk’ and pass out candy or treats to the kids. Last year we had over 700 kids! We would love to add more family-friendly activities to the event, so check back often to this event page! Who can enter a trunk? Fire departments, churches, athletic teams, clubs, parents, grandparents, businesses, etc. Plan to ‘dress’ up your trunk (plenty of ideas on Pinterest!) and come prepared to pass out candy! Sponsored by the Warren Elementary PTA, Little Hocking PTO and the Warren Middle School Academic Boosters

What: Trunk-or-Treat 2018
When: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: 1920 Park Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26101-3680
Detail: Join us for our annual Trunk-or-Treat! We provide a safe, family friendly space for all your little ghouls and goblins to fill their candy bags. If you’re interested in being one of our Trunks, message the page to get added to the list!Hosted by Parkersburg Zombie Walk

What: Trunk or Treat
When: Friday, October 26, 2018 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: 340 Muskingum Dr, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Detail: Wasco, Inc. is hosting a Trunk- or- Treat. The event will be held at 340 Muskingum Dr. Marietta, OH 45750, October 26th from 630pm-830pm. We are collecting items to make packages for our community members that can benefit from them, please feel free to bring an item if you would like! We hope you can come join in the fun either setting up a trunk or coming for the candy!

What: Trunk or Treat
When: Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 3 PM – 5 PM
Where: 922 Front St, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Detail: Join us this year for trunk or treat at the Washington Co. Fairgrounds. This event is free to the public and anyone is welcome to come set up. If you are wanting to set up and give out candy, please message us. Otherwise show up 3:00-5:00 pm to get some yummy treats.

What: Athens Asylum Walking Tours
When: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 4 PM – 6 PM
Where: Southeast Ohio History Center 24 West State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701
Detail: You can buy tickets and give as gifts for any tours during 2018, just call us at 740-592-2280 and choose the gift shop option!
Tickets are $12.00 with a Southeast Ohio History Center membership or $15.00 each for 12 and over. You can call us to prepay your tickets with a credit/debit card or stop in the gift shop to pay cash prior to the tour. If you need to mail in a check to pay for tickets, the address is: Southeast Ohio History Center, Attn: Gift shop, 24 W. State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701. Payment must be received prior to the day of your tour.

* What: Halloween in the Park
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:45 AM – 2:30 PM
Where: Muskingum Park Front St, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Detail: Builders Club will join the MHS Key Club and host the games for youngsters. Sign up with Mrs. Finley-Boggs or Ms. Fulton!

* What: 27 Marietta Noon Lions Annual Halloween Parade
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Marietta College Physician Assistant Program Butler and 3rd, Marietta, Ohio
Detail: Join us for the Annual Marietta Noon Lions Club Halloween Parade. Costume judging for our youth ghouls and goblins will be at 11:30 a.m. followed by our parade which strides out at 12:00 p.m. (noon)! The parade will start at the PA building for Marietta College, and proceed down 3rd to Putnam and the. Putnam to Muskingum Park on Front. Participants in the parade must get a sticker from one of our members in order to enjoy Halloween at the Park – sponsored by the Marietta Noon Lions and other community service organizations. Joins us in our oldest service project and let’s scare up Marietta!

* What: Candlelight Harvest Dinner Cruise
When: Friday, October 26, 2018 at 8 PM – 10 PM
Where: Valley Gem Sternwheeler 601 Front St (Physical), Marietta, Ohio 45750
Detail: NEW! We have added a new cruise this fall called the Candlelight Harvest Dinner Cruise. On Friday, October 26 from 8pm to 10pm, enjoy a prime rib dinner buffet by candlelight as we cruise on the Ohio River. A cash bar will also be available. Live violin music will played throughout the evening for your enjoyment. Tickets are $40 for adults, $38 for Seniors 55+ and $30 for Children 3-12. Reservations are required and can be made on our website at valleygemsternwheeler.com or by calling 740.373.7862.

* What: River Town Grill Halloween Bash
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 8 PM – 12 AM
Where: The River Town Grill 10 Tiber Way, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Detail: Join us at the River Town Grill for our Annual Halloween Bash! Costume Judging at 10 with a top Prize of 200 dollars. Second prize is 100 dollars. Third prize gets a 50 dollar from River Town Grill. Music from Two Buds and a Slap Box and Drink Specials all night long!

* What: The Biggest Halloween Party in the MOV! Hosted by DJ Mixar
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 9 PM – 12 AM
Where: The Adelphia Music Hall 203 2nd St, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Detail: The Adelphia Music Hall Presents: The biggest Halloween party in the MOV, hosted by DJ Mixar! Over $1,000 in prizes available, so wear your best costumes! Doors open at 7:00 PM Music starts at 9:00 PM

* What: Halloween Party / costume contest / Karaoke at Mike’s!
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 8 PM – 12 AM
Where: Mike’s 1755 St. Route 821, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Detail: Karaoke Saturday night at Mike’s, Marietta’s newest Sports Bar. Located where the ol’ Misty was, this is remodeled, added air condition, added parking, and more! Come check us out. Great atmosphere, and YES, we have food. It’s not as small as it looks, plus now there is room for almost a hundred people. Saturday karaoke at it’s finest! Have fun with Auto tune, pitch and key change, top of the line speakers, and SHURE, he has Shure mics to boot. Featuring on one of the largest karaoke collections around, plus with legal online selections, and purchasing on the fly, if he doesn’t have it, he will get it!

Trick or Treating Safety Tips

When most people think about Halloween, trick or treating comes to their mind. It is a traditional event that takes place during October near Halloween. Most children love it and many adults love getting to see all the kiddos knocking on their door. It has been around since the early 1900’s. Many parents worry about keeping their children safe and are reluctant when their children go trick or treating. You don’t have to be afraid. Here are a few important tips for a fun and safe trick or treat adventure!

• Young children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

• Older children going with friends should talk to their parents about the route they plan to take. Agree on a specific time to return home or call in. Stay with your group.

• Stay in well-lit and familiar areas.

• Teach the children to wait until the candy is inspected at home to eat any of it. Once you get home, toss out any candy that may be tampered with.

• Avoid masks that can obstruct vision and long costumes children can trip on.

• Use glow sticks, reflective tape and a flashlight.

• Children and Adults should put down electronic devices so they can be more aware.

• Teach street safety. For example, cross only at crosswalks. Look both ways before crossing.

• Teach stranger danger. Make sure they know to kick and scream if they are ever grabbed. If they get lost, instruct them NOT to go in anyone’s house or car but ask an adult to call the Police. Tell them it is safe to go with a police officer only if he is in a police car.

Again, if you would like to share your own Halloween crafts, treats, activities, events or safety tips with us, we would love to hear them! To share all you have to do is scroll below and type it in the reply box or comment on our Facebook page.

Costumes, candy and friendly spooks are coming your direction. If you’re a parent, the holiday of Halloween in the United States usually means great festivities for all. One of our most treasured traditions is the act of going from house to friendly house in your neighborhood and gathering bunches of candy to be eaten in their entirety over the next week.

But in truth, there are a number of reasons why you, as a parent, may not want to take part in this tradition. The weather may be unfriendly to tiny little cheeks and hands. Your child may have allergies to peanuts or chocolate. Your nearest neighbor may be a mile away. Whatever your reason, here are a few Halloween alternatives to trick-or-treating.

Halloween Alternative #1: Backyard Scavenger Hunt

If the weather is nice enough, a fun alternative to trick-or-treating is to have a backyard scavenger hunt. Sure, it takes a bit of planning, and creativity, but having a group of young kids running around your yard searching for clues and prizes can be great fun. Plus, since you created the scavenger hunt, you can make sure the “prizes” are fun and healthy for everyone involved. Plus, everyone can still dress up in costume, and if everyone gets tired, home isn’t that far away!

Halloween Alternative #2: Mini Pumpkin Decorating

Do you have colorful markers? How about access to mini pumpkins or squash? How about some “artistic” kids? Well, you have absolutely everything you need for a fun Halloween evening, even if the rain is pouring down outside. Simply roll out the newspaper over your table, sit the kids around the table, arm them with a mini pumpkin and a bunch of markers (washable ones, to play it safe) and let them have fun. You’ll be amazed at what everyone comes up with.

Halloween Alternative #3: Help Weave a Story

One of my favorite pastimes in the world is listening to and telling stories. It’s something that humans have probably done since they could talk. Why not start your own tradition and tell stories on Halloween night? Start by getting everyone in the same room, get everyone comfortable, and designate a person to start the story while holding an object like a flashlight. After a few minutes, have them pass the flashlight and story onto another person. Trust me, you, and the kids will remember the stories for a long time to come.

Halloween Alternative #4: Trick-Or-Treat at a Nursing Home

This idea is a great one because it not only has the fun of trick-or-treating, but also the act of doing something special for someone else. Nursing homes and retirement communities are filled with people who don’t get many visitors. So why not call your local nursing home or retirement community and see if you can arrange for a group of kids to come around and do some visits and trick-or-treating in the community? Chances are everyone involved will have a great deal of fun.

Halloween Alternative #5: Host a Party

If safety is a concern for you as a parent, consider hosting a Halloween party in your home. Not only can you make sure you have snacks and candy that everyone can enjoy safely, but you’ll know that everyone is enjoying themselves in a safe environment. Plus, you can design the party to fit what you need. From costume contests to bobbing for apples, everyone can have a grand time indeed.